Beijing finds 2 locally transmitted COVID infections

Beijing reported two new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in two districts on Thursday, a senior official said at a news conference.

Beijing continues to face a complex and severe epidemic prevention and control situation, with infection risks from both humans and packaging materials.

The two infected people — one in Fengtai district who is a close contact of a previous confirmed case, and another in Haidian district, who has been sent to another province to help build makeshift hospitals — have been both taken to designated hospitals for medical treatment.

Cui Xulong, deputy head of Fengtai, said a hotel in the district that was used for centralized quarantine turned up several positive cases recently, and its exhaust ventilation system will be refurbished to ensure people's health. All affected people have been transferred to other locations.

Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said at the news conference that people should be aware of potential risks when purchasing items online from countries with epidemic outbreaks and should not leave Beijing if it's not absolutely necessary.

The city will also strengthen the management of cold-chain food to ensure safety, Pang said.